Human rights defenders Dr Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang-Sissoho will appear in court on 3 November 2011. Over a year after the opening of the trial and with no substantive evidence from the prosecution having been presented, the authorities continue to adjourn and unduly prolong the trial.

Since 24 May 2011, human rights defender and trade unionist Ms Natalya Sokolova has been held in detention. On 31 May 2011, a criminal investigation was launched against her for “inciting social hatred”, under Article 164 (3) of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan. Natalya Sokolova is the legal representative for a trade union formed by employees of the Karazhanbasmunbay oil company.

On 25 January 2011, the final verdict will be given in the case of human rights defender Mr Sam Chankea at the Kg. Chhnang Provincial Court in Cambodia. Sam Chankea, who is Coordinator of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) in Kampong Chhnang, and particularly active in issues related to land rights, is charged with defaming the work of a private company.

Further Information

On 18 January 2011, Sam Chankea appeared before Kg Chhnang Provincial Court on charges of defamation against the work of the KDC International Company, which is owned by the wife of the Cambodian Minister for Mining and Energy. It is reported that during the hearing, the judge stated that he would give his final verdict in the case on 25 January 2011.

The charges against Sam Chankea reportedly relate to a radio interview, broadcast on 26 December 2010, in which Sam Chankea alleged that the aforementioned company had violated the law by refusing to suspend certain activities despite the fact that a court case in relation thereto was ongoing and awaiting judgement.

Numerous individual human rights defenders and organisations have been subjected to police and judicial harassment, ill-treatment, searches and raids carried out at their offices and homes, since the unrest which followed the Presidential Elections of 19 December 2010.

Further Information

Most of the searches have been carried out in relation to a criminal investigation opened by the Minsk Department of Interior under Article 293 parts 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (participation and organisation of mass disorder) which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. This investigation aims at establishing the involvement of human rights defenders in the political unrest.

On 19 December 2010, Mr Aleh Gulak, Chair of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC), who was observing the opposition rally, was arrested despite explaining the reasons for his presence. He was brought to a temporary detention facility where was forced to spend three hours standing with his face to a wall. On 20 December at midday, he was brought to court where he was accused of participation in an unauthorised rally.